Tech Lead - CHN/BLR

Photon; India; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Photon is modernizing its core legacy systems from Mainframe to a Java-based architecture. We seek a Mainframe Technical Lead to guide a team, analyze COBOL/JCL/CICS/DB2/VSAM workloads, and define modernization pathways with Java architects.

You will drive risk assessment, oversee technical work, and ensure smooth data migration and system stability during the transition. The role requires 8+ years in mainframe development, 2+ years in tech leadership, and strong mentoring and debugging skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on Mainframe experience (COBOL/JCL/CICS/DB2/VSAM).
• 2+ years in a technical leadership role within a mainframe environment.
• Experience in mainframe modernization projects or initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and debugging skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to a team of mainframe developers and SMEs.
• Analyze legacy systems and define modernization pathways.
• Collaborate with Java architects on strategy and design.
• Bridge mainframe concepts to Java teams and ensure data migration.
• Assess risks and dependencies and propose mitigation strategies.
• Oversee technical execution, review artifacts, and ensure standards.
• Contribute to testing strategy for integration and parallel testing.
• Document existing systems and transition processes.
• Communicate progress and challenges to stakeholders.

Skills

Technical leadership

COBOL

JCL

CICS

DB2

VSAM

Data migration

Mentoring

Troubleshooting

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Code analysis tools

Refactoring tools

Data migration tools

TWS/Control-M

Job description

The Opportunity:

We are embarking on a significant strategic initiative to modernize our core legacy systems from the Mainframe platform to a modern Java-based architecture. This transformation is critical to our future success, enabling greater agility, scalability, and innovation. We are seeking experienced and forward-thinking Mainframe Technical Leads to play a pivotal role in this journey.

As a Mainframe Technical Lead, you will be a key technical authority, guiding a team of mainframe developers and collaborating closely with Java architects and development teams. You will leverage your deep mainframe expertise to analyze existing systems, define modernization pathways, ensure stability during transition, and provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership: Lead, mentor, and guide a team of mainframe developers/SMEs involved in the modernization project. Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
• Legacy System Analysis: Perform in-depth analysis of existing Mainframe applications (COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, etc.) to understand business logic, data structures, system integrations, and dependencies.
• Modernization Strategy & Design: Collaborate with architects (Mainframe and Java) to define and refine modernization strategies (e.g., re-platforming, re-hosting, refactoring, strangler patterns). Contribute to technical design decisions for migration, interfacing, or decommissioning of mainframe components.
• Bridging Technologies: Act as a key liaison between mainframe SMEs and Java development teams. Translate mainframe concepts and constraints for the Java teams and vice-versa. Facilitate technical discussions on integration points and data migration.
• Risk & Impact Assessment: Identify technical risks, challenges, and dependencies associated with migrating specific mainframe applications or functionalities. Propose mitigation strategies.
• Technical Oversight: Oversee the technical execution of mainframe-related tasks within the project, ensuring adherence to standards, best practices, and project timelines. Review code and technical artifacts where applicable.
• Problem Solving: Troubleshoot complex technical issues arising from the legacy environment or during the migration process. Ensure the stability and performance of mainframe systems interfacing with modernized components.
• Testing Strategy: Contribute to the definition and oversight of testing strategies, particularly for integration, regression, and parallel testing between mainframe and Java systems.
• Documentation: Ensure comprehensive technical documentation is created and maintained for existing systems and the transition process.
• Communication: Clearly communicate technical details, progress, and challenges to project managers, stakeholders, and technical teams.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, OR equivalent extensive practical experience.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in Mainframe application development and support.
• Proven experience (at least 2+ years) in a technical leadership role (Tech Lead, Senior Developer with mentoring responsibilities) within a mainframe environment.
• Deep technical expertise in core mainframe technologies: COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM.
• Strong understanding of Mainframe architecture, batch processing, online transaction processing, and system utilities.
• Demonstrable experience or significant involvement in mainframe modernization projects or initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills, especially concerning complex legacy systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse technical teams and explain complex concepts clearly.
• Experience analyzing and understanding complex, large-scale legacy applications.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Familiarity with Java / J2EE concepts, microservices architecture, and modern development practices.
• Experience with specific mainframe modernization tools (code analysis, automated refactoring, data migration tools).
• Knowledge of additional mainframe technologies (e.g., Assembler, IMS DB/DC, specific scheduling tools like TWS/Control-M).
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and concepts related to migrating mainframe workloads.
• Understanding of DevOps principles and CI/CD pipelines, and how they might apply in a hybrid environment.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum development methodologies.